Load lifting apparatus



May 9, 1967 w. J. FISHER 3,318,465 LOAD LIFTING APPARATUS Filed May 10, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 y Qj' 90 3? Q4 97 1 91 HM on y 1967 w. J. FISHER 3,318,465

LOAD LIFTING APPARATUS Filed May 10, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,318,465 LOAD LIFTING APPARATUS William J. Fisher, Du Page County, Ill., assignor of onehalf to Ger-son Electric Construction Company, Chicage, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed May 10, 1965, Ser. No. 454,591 8 Claims. (Cl. 214-1) This invention relates generally to material hoists and more particularly to an apparatus for raising a load from a ground level to an elevated position.

The building construction industry has long been faced with the problem of raising building materials to an elevated position where the materials are to be used. Heretofore, complex and costly structures, such as scaffold elevators, have had to be built on the construction site to raise material loads to upper floors. Moreover, in raising smaller loads within a building interior, as for example, ceiling tile or lighting fixtures, the various available devices have been inadequate and manual lifting has generally prevailed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for raising material to an elevated position which is adapted to be attached to an existing structure which supports the apparatus and may be loaded at floor level so as to obviate any workman lifting.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the above-described type which may be attached to an existing supporting structure and can elevate a load to a height above the height of the structure and the apparatus.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the above-described type which may be easily adjusted with considerable precision to position the material load at the desired height by a single workman while allowing him the free use of both hands.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for raising material to an elevated position which is adapted to be attached to scaffolding and includes a track and carriage assembly to raise the material above the top level of the scaffolding by a Windlass in combination with a fluid operated means for further elevating the load.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for raising material to an elevated position which is self-supporting and uses hydraulic or pneumatic means to raise the load.

For a better understanding of the invention together with other further objects thereof, reference should now be made to the following detailed description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 7

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a load lifting apparatus attached to a scaffold structure;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation view of a load lifting apparatus shown in a slightly raised position;

FIGURE 3 is a detailed cross sectional view of a portion of the apparatus taken along line 33 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an elevation view of the load lifting apparatus shown in a raised position;

FIGURE 5 is an elevation view of the load lifting apparatus shown in a raised position with the load platform extended;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the load platform support assembly;

FIGURE 7 is a detailed perspective view showing the upper end of the carriage assembly;

FIGURE 8 is a detailed exploded perspective View showing the lower end of the carriage assembly;

FIGURE 9 is an elevation view of a modified embodi- 3,318,455 Patented May 9, 1967 ment of a load lifting apparatus for raising loads to a fixed height; and

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a self-supporting load lifting apparatus.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown a scalfolding structure comprising a plurality of support members 20 and an elevated platform 22. A load lifting apparatus, designated 24, is secured to the scaffolding horizontal members 20. The load lifting apparatus 24 generally comprises a vertical tract member 26, means 28 for raising a load platform, carriage assembly 30, a load platform 32 and means 34 for supporting the load platform.

Referring now to FIGURES 2 and 3, the vertical track member 26 is seen to comprise a plurality of track sections 36, having an I-beam cross-section, which are secured by brackets 38 to form a track member of desired height. As the scaffold structure is constructed higher, for example, additional sections may be added to increase the height of the track member. The track member 26 is secured to several horizontal members 20 of the scaffolding structure by a plurality of U-shaped brackets 21, as seen best in FIGURE 3. The vertical member forming the corner post of the scalfolding structure is mounted on a wheel or caster 40 carried by a caster housing 42, one of which is shown.

The carriage assembly 30 comprises upper and lower roller carrying frame portions 44 and 46, respectively, as seen best in FIGURES 7 and 8. The frame portions 44 and 46 are connected by vertical rods 48 and 50 to complete the carriage frame. The upper frame portion 44 has a pair of grooved wheels 52 and 54 transversely disposed relative to the carriage frame and spaced apart so that the grooves engage the outer flange portion of the I beam track sections 36. The lower frame 46 also has a pair of grooved rollers 56 and 58 likewise engaging the outer portion of I beam track section 36. The upper frame 44 pivotally supports on its outer surface a pulley block 60.

Means 34 supporting the load platform comprises a pivotally mounted base rod 62, a hollow rectangular elongated member 64 and an extension rod 66, as seen in FIGURE 2. The lower end of base rod 62 engages an opening 68 in a pivot pin 70. The pivot pin 70 is secured to the carriage assembly lower frame 46 he housing having a base portion 72 connected to the frame 46, and a screw-attached bracket portion 74, as seen in FIGURE 8. The upper end of base rod 62 engages the lower end of the elongated member 64 and is secured thereto by a bolt 67. The elongated member 64 has a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes 76' therein. A rectangular C-shapecl securing member 78 is connected to elongated member 64, for reasons to be described hereinafter.

The lower portion of extension rod 66 forms a rectangular block 80, having a hole 82 therein, which slidably and telescopically engages the rectangular opening in elongated member 64, as seen in FIGURE 6. A securing pin 84 is provided for securing the extension rod 66 to the elongated member 64 at the desired height and a cotter key 86 secures the pin 84 from sliding out of the holes 76 and 82. A rod 88 extends from rectangular block and has its upper end connected to base 90 of load platform 32.

Referring again to FIGURE 2, the load platform 32 comprises a first member 92 connected to base 90 and a second member 94 pivotally mounted on member 92 by hinge 96 .and maintained in a vertical position with pin 97 inserted in hole 99. A brace 98 is connected between base 90 and first member 92 for additional support of the latter. It is to be understood that the lifting platform 32 is merely representative of various types of load platforms which can be secured to the upper end of extension rod 66 depending upon the type of load to be raised.

Mounted on elongated member 64 is fluid operated means 100 for extending load platform 32 relative to the means 34 for supporting the load platform. Extension means 100 comprises a fluid pressure cylinder and piston assembly 102 and a piston rod 104 extending from the cylinder 102 to the load platform base 90. A friction latch 105 is connected on piston rod 104 at one end and extension rod 106 passes through an oversize hole in the other end of the latch so as to frictionally connect the two rods. Fluid operatedmeans 100 for extending the load platform additionally comprises means 106 for sup plying fluid under pressure to cylinder 102. Fluid pressure supply means 106 includes a cylinder and piston assembly 108, a piston rod 110, a flexible fluid line 112 and a foot pedal 114 pivotally secured at its lower end to a support base 116 and near its upper end to connecting rod 110. A pressure relief valve 118 is provided on cylinder 102 for releasing the pressure to lower the support platform. It is to be understood that means 106 for supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinder 102 may be pneumatic, hydraulic, or the like. Morover, while the means for extending load platform 32 is preferably a fluid operated means, it may be any mechanical, electrical or fluid system for raising the load platform relative to the load platform supporting means 34. Several of the various advantages of the load lifting apparatus derive from this dual means of elevating the load which are cumulative in effect.

Means 28 for raising the load platform 32 comprises a Windlass 120, a cable 122, a pulley block system 124, pulley block 60 and a cable stop or clamp 126. The lower end of cable 122 is attached to the upper end of elongated member 64 and has clamp 126 fixedly secured to the cable at a distance whereby when clamp 126 is in contact with pulley' block 60, the means 34 for supporting the load platform is in a near vertical position but platform member 92 does not contact vertical member 26. The cable 122 passes through the pulley block 60 and over pulleys 128 and 130 rotatably secured in pulley block '121 and is attached to winch 120. Windlass 120 is shown as a winch secured at the upper end of vertical member 26 including a cable drum 132, a handle 134 and a brake 136 in the form of a pin to prevent the drum 132 from revolving. While a manual winch has been shown, it should be understood that any type of Windlass may be used and driven by various power sources, such as an electric motor.

Operation of the load lifting apparatus may be best described in conjunction with FIGURES 2, 4 and 5. In the loading position, the load platform 32 rests upon the floor on which the scaffolding structure is placed and the means 34 for supporting the load platform is in a near horizontal position. The material to be elevated is placed upon the load platform member 94 and resting against member 92. To raise the load, the winch cable drum 132 is rotated by means of handle 134 so as to wind up cable 122 and thereby draw means 34 for supporting the lift platform towards a vertical position as it rotates about the pivot mount. FIGURE 2 illustrates the lifting apparatus shortly after the pivoting operation has begun. When cable clamp 126 comes in contact with pulley block 60 further rotating movement of means 34 is prevented and continued winding of which cable drum 132 causes the carriage assembly 30 to roll upward along the track members 36 thereby elevating means 34 and load platform 32. When the upper end of carriage assembly 30 comes nearly in contact with pulley block 124,'pin 136 is engaged to prevent winch cable drum "132 from-unwinding. The platform supporting means 34 is then manually pulled into a vertical position since platform member 92 is above pulley block system 124 and thus will not contact vertical member 26. The elevated position of load platform 32 is shown in FIGURE 4. To further elevate load platform 32, a workman located on platform 22 may operate foot pedal 114 so as to extend piston rod 104 which by means of friction latch causes extension rod 66 to further elevate load platform 32. To position the load platform in close proximity to a ceiling, the platform member 94 may be pivoted so as to lie in the same horizontal plane as member 92.

To lower the load platform 32, pressure is released from cylinder 102 by means of relief valve 118 and friction latch 105 is manually tripped so that the weight of load platform 32 lowers itself. Disengaging brake pin 136 will then allow winch cable drum 132 to unwind and the weight of the load platform 32, carriage assembly 30 and means 34 for supporting the load platform will lower the entire sub-assembly.

It will be seen that the present apparatus provides a means for lifting a load up to an elevated platform and further elevate the load, while allowing a workman the free use of both hands, by pumping foot pedal 114. It is apparent that means 106 for extending the load platform may be located on the ground upon which the scaffolding structure rests so that the entire elevating operation may be accomplished by a workman located at this ground level. It should also be understood that means 100 for extending the load platform allows an accurate positioning of the platform relative to the ceiling such that a fixture which may rest thereon may be precisely positioned for attachment to the ceiling without requiring 'manual support of the fixture weight.

A modified embodiment of a lifting apparatus is shown in FIGURE 9 in a slightly raised position comparable to that position of the load lifting apparatus shown in FIGURE 2. In this embodiment, the lifting apparatus is used solely for raising a load to a fixed height such as to a scaffolding platform and the load lifting apparatus, previously described, is suitably modified for this limited purpose such as by eliminating vertical track member 26 and carriage assembly 30. The modified lifting apparatus comprises a load platform supporting member 182, a load platform 184 and means 186 for lifting the load platform, all of which are secured to a scaffolding structure 188 supporting a platform 189 which restson casters 190, one of which are shown. Load platform supporting member 182 comprises a base rod 192 pivotally secured at its lower end to a pivot mount 194 and connected at its upper end to a hollow rectangular elongated member 196 which has a plurality of holes 198. A rod 200 is slidably supported in elongated member 196 and is secured at its upper end to a base 202 which forms a part of load platform 184. The fixed height of means 186 may be pre-selected by positioning rod 200 in member 196 and securing it therein by a pin 203 inserted through one of the holes 198. A member 205 is attached between base 202 and member 204. A pivotally mounted second member 206 is attached to member 204 through hinge pins 208 and held in a vertical position by means of removable pin 209. 7

Means 186 for lifting the load platform comprises a winch 210 secured to a vertical member of supporting structure 188, a cable 212 and a pulley 214. One end of cable 212 is attached to load platform base 202, passes over pulley 214 and is secured to'winch cable drum 216 having a handle 218 and a brake pin 220.

Operation of modified lifting apparatus 180 is similar to that described of lifting apparatus 24. Rotating winch cable drum 216 so as to wind cable 212 about the drum draws the load platform 184 from its initial loading position resting on the floor to the side of scaffolding structure platform 189 by rotating about pivot mount 1 94. It will be readily apparent that modified lifting apparatus 180 is a simplified counterpart of the lifting apparatus previously described useful for elevating loads to a fixed height.

While the preceding load lifting apparatuses have been described for use with a scaffolding structure, such as for indoor use, it should be understood that the present invention encompasses an apparatus which would be of much larger size and construction to be used in constructing a building or the like. In such case, the lifting apparatus would be attached to the outside of the building structure itself though the components and operation of the apparatus would be substantially the same.

A second modified lifting apparatus is shown in FIG- URE 10. This embodiment shows a self-supporting lifting apparatus 240 comprising a tripod base 242, a vertical load supporting means 244 and a load platform 246. Tripod base 242 includes three legs 248 for supporting the load supporting means 244. Load platform supporting means 244 comprises a base member 250 secured at its lower and to tripod 242 and connected at its upper end to a hollow rectangular elongated member 252. An extension rod 253 slidably engages elongated member 252 and has load platform 246 secured at its upper end. Mounted on elongated member 252 is a rectangular C-shaped securing member 254. Brackets 256 having a T-shaped tongue engage the slot in securing member 254 and are secured to horizontal members 258 of a scaffolding structure to stabilize the modified lifting apparatus 240. The opposite side of elongated member 252 has a piston and cylinder assembly 260 attached thereto and a piston rod 262 vertically extending therefrom. A pressure fluid line 264 is attached to cylinder 260 at one end and has its other end attached to a means for pressurizing cylinder 260, such as shown in FIGURE 2. A relief valve 266 is also provided on cylinder 260. Piston rod 262 passes through a friction latch 268 at one end thereof and the other end of the friction latch is positioned around extension rod 253 such that axial movement of rod 262 will elevate load platform 246 through frictional engagement. A tab 270 is provided at one end of friction latch 268 for disengaging the latch to allow load platform 246 to descend.

In operation, the material to be elevated is manually lifted onto load platform 246 and the platform may then be manually extended or the cylinder 260 may be pressurized so as to pneumatically or hydraulically extend piston rod 262 and thereby extension rod 253 and platform 246.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Accordingly, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for lifting a load to an elevated position comprising in combination:

(a) a vertical I-beam track member adapted to be secured to a supporting structure,

(b) an elongated carriage frame having a pair of vertically coplanar grooved rollers rotatably mounted on each end of said frame, the rollers of each of said pair transversely spaced apart so that the groove in each wheel engages the edges of one flange of said vertical I-beam track member,

(c) an elongated supporting member pivotally secured at one end to the lower end of said elongated carriage frame,

(d) an extension rod slidably and coaxially supported by said elongated supporting member,

(e) means for carrying a load secured to said extension rod,

(f) a Windlass mounted on said vertical I-beam track member,

(g) a block and pulley system mounted on the upper end of said vertical I-beam track member,

(h) a pulley block mounted on the upper end of'said elongated carriage frame, and

(i) a cable interconnecting the upper end of said elongated support member and said Windlass, said cable passing through said pulley block and over said block and pulley system, said cable having a clamp fixed thereon at a point between the upper end of said elongated support member and said pulley block so that when said clamp is in contact with said pulley block said elongated support member is in a substantially vertical position.

2. An apparatus for lifting a load in accordance with claim 1 additionally including electrical power means operatively engaging said Windlass.

3. An apparatus for lifting a load to an elevated position comprising in combination:

(a) a vertical track member adapted to be secured to a supporting structure,

(b) an elongated carriage assembly slidably secured to said vertical track member,

(c) an elongated hollow supporting member pivotally secured at one end to the lower end of said carriage assembly,

(d) an extension rod telescopically engaging said elongated hollow supporting member,

(e) a load carrying platform secured to the other end of said extension rod,

(f) a Windlass mounted on said vertical track member,

(g) a pulley block system mounted on the upper end of said vertical track member,

(h) a pulley block mounted on the upper end of said carriage assembly,

(i) a cable having one end attached to the upper end of said elongated hollow supporting member, passing through said pulley block and over said block and pulley system, the other end of said cable attached to said Windlass, whereby said elongated hollow supporting member may be pivoted from a horizontal to a substantially vertical position by winding said Windlass and further winding moves said carriage assembly up said vertical track member, and

(l) fluid operated means for extending said load carrying platform mounted on said elongated hollow supporting member and connected to said extension rod for elfecting vertical movement of the latter relative to said elongated hollow supporting member.

4. An apparatus for lifting a load in accordance with claim 3 wherein the connection between said fluid operated means for extending said load carrying platform and said extension rod comprises a friction latch.

5. An apparatus for lifting a load in accordance with claim 4 wherein said fluid operated means for extending said load carrying platform comprises a fluid pressure cylinder and piston assembly mounted on said elongated hollow supporting member, a piston rod extending from said cylinder and connected to said load carrying platform and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinder for effecting axial movement of said piston rod.

6. An apparatus for lifting a load in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinder comprises in combination:

(a) a base,

(b) a fluid cylinder and piston assembly mounted on said base,

(c) a piston rod extending from said cylinder,

(d) a foot pedal pivotally connected at one end to said base and near the other end pivotally connected to said piston rod, and

(e) a fluid pressure line interconnecting said fluid supply cylinder with said fluid operating cylinder.

7. An apparatus for lifting a load to an elevated position comprising in combination:

(a) vertical track means adapted to be secured to a supporting structure,

(b) a carriage assembly slidably secured to said track means,

(0) elongated means for supporting a load carrying platform pivotally secured at the lower end to the lower end of said carriage assembly,

(d) means for carrying a load connected to the upper end of said elongated supporting means,

(e) means for pivoting said elongated supporting means from a substantially horizontal to a near-vertical position and for slidably moving said carriage assembly and said elongated supporting means along said vertical track means, and

(f) a fluid pressure cylinder and piston assembly operatively connected between said elongated supporting means and said load carrying platform for effecting movement of said platform relative to said elongated supporting means and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinder.

8; An apparatus for lifting a load to an elevated position comprising in combination:

(a) vertical track means adapted to be secured to a supporting structure,

(b) a carriage assembly slidably secured to said track means,

(c) elongated means for supporting a load carrying 8 platform pivotally secured at the lower end to the lower end of said carriage assembly, (d) means for carrying a load connected to the upper end of said elongated means,

5 (e) means for pivoting said elongated supporting means from a substantially horizontal to a near-vertical posi-r tion and for slidably moving said carriage assembly and said elongated supporting means along said vertical track means, and

(f) means connected between said load carrying platform and said elongated supporting means including means for extending said platform relative to said elongated supporting means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner. 

8. AN APPARATUS FOR LIFTING A LOAD TO AN ELEVATED POSITION COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (A) VERTICAL TRACK MEANS ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO A SUPPORTING STRUCTURE, (B) A CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY SLIDABLY SECURED TO SAID TRACK MEANS, (C) ELONGATED MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A LOAD CARRYING PLATFORM PIVOTALLY SECURED AT THE LOWER END TO THE LOWER END OF SAID CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY, (D) MEANS FOR CARRYING A LOAD CONNECTED TO THE UPPER END OF SAID ELONGATED MEANS, (E) MEANS FOR PIVOTING SAID ELONGATED SUPPORTING MEANS FROM A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL TO A NEAR-VERTICAL POSITION AND FOR SLIDABLY MOVING SAID CARRIAGE ASSEMBLY AND SAID ELONGATED SUPPORTING MEANS ALONG SAID VERTICAL TRACK MEANS, AND (F) MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID LOAD CARRYING PLATFORM AND SAID ELONGATED SUPPORTING MEANS INCLUDING MEANS FOR EXTENDING SAID PLATFORM RELATIVE TO SAID ELONGATED SUPPORTING MEANS. 